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How to leave a legacy gift in your Will

More people like Jean are surviving cancer right now thanks to gifts in Wills

To find out more about leaving a gift in your Will, request our simple guide today. Inside you will find useful tips on the types of gift you can leave, who can help you write your Will, choosing how your gift is spent, and who to contact to take the next step.

3 steps to making your Will

List what you own

Plan who you would like to include

For many people loved ones will come first, but we also hope you’ll consider leaving a gift to a charity like Cancer Research UK. We receive no government funding for our research, so gifts from people like you make everything we do possible. With your help, we will write an end to cancer.

Decide who will write your Will

We would always recommend using a solicitor to write your Will to ensure all legal formalities are carried out correctly, and your Will is written and witnessed in a valid way.

3 steps to updating your Will

Prepare your information

It’s important to keep your Will up to date. If your circumstances have changed, it may be a good time to review your Will to make sure it still reflects your wishes.

Review who you would like to include

For many people loved ones will come first, but we also hope you’ll consider leaving a gift to a charity like Cancer Research UK. We receive no government funding for our research, so gifts from people like you make everything we do possible. With your help, we will write an end to cancer.

Decide who should write your Will

Depending on the significance of the changes you’d like to make to your existing Will, it may be possible to use a codicil to make your amendments. A solicitor can advise on the best course of action.

What types of gift can you leave?

A share of your estate. After you have provided for your loved ones, you can leave a share of what remains to charity. This is known as a ‘residuary gift’.

A cash gift. This is when you leave an exact sum of money to us. It's known as a 'pecuniary gift'.

A specific gift. Over the years we've received everything from a stream to antique jewellery.

A gift in trust. You can leave a gift for someone to use over a period of time. When the time has ended, the gift can be passed on to other recipients, such as a charity.

We receive all kinds of gifts in people’s Wills, and we’re grateful for all types of support. Speak to your solicitor if you’re interested in leaving an alternative type of gift. If you would like your gift to be spent in a specific way, perhaps towards research into a specific cancer type or in your local area, please do get in contact with our Local Community Legacy Manager.

5 good reasons to make a Will and keep it up to date

1. Make sure your wishes are followed

With an up-to-date Will, you can have peace of mind that the people and causes that matter to you have been looked after the way you choose. It’s the only way to make sure your wishes are followed the way you intend.

2. Make it easier on friends and family

A Will makes it much easier for your family and friends to take care of your estate and be sure they’re acting on your wishes. Without a Will, the process can be difficult, stressful and time-consuming.

If you’ve got a Will, it can help reduce the amount of inheritance tax that needs to be paid on your estate.

4. Protect the rights of your partner

If you and your partner aren’t married or in a civil partnership, you don’t have the same automatic rights as those who are married. You can make sure your partner’s looked after by naming them in your Will.

5. Give your assets to the people and causes you love most

Without a Will expressing your wishes, your whole estate could end up belonging to the Crown or government. Write a Will to keep control.

Aged over 55? We’ve partnered with solicitors nationwide to provide a Will-writing service to help you write or update a simple Will free of charge. We can also offer guidance and information about leaving a legacy gift to Cancer Research UK.

Where your money goes

Legacy gifts fund our core research. For every £1 donated, 80p is available to beat cancer and 20p is spent to help raise funds for the future. If you’d like to talk about how your gift might be spent, call our Legacy Team on 0300 123 1862.

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Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London EC1V 4AD.